The Forrest City times., 1887-10-22
Ho knew several and t,.w |,

Ho knew several, and know two or three who made their most successful coups by the aid of clever women, but what puzzled him so much about Mrs. Grey was this, that she was eyidentl, perfect gentlewoman. How she had so far fallen to become the associate the tool Of gang of thieves, he ceulu not imagine. He did his hest to trace her snteoedents, be knew every detai ot her life from the day she reached ClsVering; he found out the great mllli- nery firm for whom she made the polni lace, but they knew nothing more than this. They had alwas known her-at leat for the last sixteen years-as Mrs. Grey. Whether she was a widow or not they could not say. She had worked for them during the sixteen years. She had been intrusted with many hundreds of pounds worth of valuable lace, and they always found her the very soul of honesty, honor, aud rectitude. or her antecedents they know nothing whatever. :she had applied to them for work, and they had given 1t to han She had never once been behind, and their opinion of her was the highest.
 There was nothing to be gained from this, nor could be in any way trace this gang to which he felt sure she belonged,
 There was nothing for 1t but to return | n disguise to Clayering and begin again on the spot.
 One of his finest qualification for the office he had was the facility with whith he disguised himself. He pre- sented himself at the Clayerlng Arms as dealer in cattle. He wanted to purchase for foreign markets. A. he seemed to have plenty of money and went out every day OH business, talked with all the farmers in the neigabor- hood, received many letters every morning addressed to MT. Carter, the name py which he passed, the landlord. An Hill, and all his household, trsat- ed him with the greatest respect.
 At first he was most wary and eau tious, he asked permission to smoke his pipe in the travellers room-per- mission was fresly given. Then he heard much conversation about the nake and Duchess of Meath; he never seemed to give any attention to 1t. The robbery, in all its SUI posed details. was discussed befere him. He heared much of his own skill, how he had de- tected the thief at once, and he made no comment. But one evening a new element was introduced into ths con versation.
 Two young farmers were speaking of horses, and of meL who were judges of horses.
 "l have never heard" said one, "of a man who cold give better judgement of horse than thae young London fellow you had down here, Mr. Hill,"
 The landlord shook his head 1t was his favorite method of expressing his thoughts.
 He was judge of many things, :" was the slow reply, "I do not care for fine young London men myself"
 He was here some time," asked another.
 "Looking after a farm, was he not?" asked a third
 ''So he said" replied the landlord.
 ''l always had my suspicious Of him." said little man, who had listened in silence. He did uot look like an honest man" ."
 "He was a handsome man ," said another.
 Handsome is as handsome does" said the landlord solemnly. He was handsome after London kind of fash ion; the girls round here thought enough of him."
 "Hs only cared for one, and that was the pretty mad at tue Castle" said another, "I wonder if he will ever come back here agang ?"
 My impression is that he will not" said the landlord.
 Then tue cattle dealer, Mir Carter, raised his head, and asked
 "Of whom are you speaking, that opinions seem to differ so greatlysr
 The landlord turned to him deferent. ially.
 "A young fellow-a fine young fellow l must admit-who was staying here last August. By the way, he was here at the time ot the robbery; hs left, l remember, the same night"
 Those words, which furnished so important a clew, were most uncon- seiously. mosJ carslessly uttered; but they struck him now, and he sat look ing with wide open eyes. Fireworks had smitten him.
 What if after all there had been some horrible mistake" he said to him. self; then he remembered the. diam onds found in the box. My heart quaked for moment" he said; then, in an instant, another idea flashed across him. If this young fellow left on the night of ths robbery, 1t seems most sensible to imagine that he had some thing to do with 1t. Perhaps this is the long looked-for clew."
 He did not stir or speak at first; he was slightly bewildered. Why had he not heard about this hne London gem tleman before? The more hs thought of It the more certain he felt that some thing important would conas of this. Still, his usual caution bade him listen, not speak.
 They went on talking about the fine London gentleman. One related how often he had seen him with the "pretty lassie from the Castle" An other told how Michael Hands had been ready to strsngle him. A third added that any lassie must be mad who could prefer man like Nesbitt to Mich aelHands. Then Mr. Carter spoke again.
 "what name did you say?" he asked,
 "Nesbitt," was the answer. ''Charlie Nesbitt."
 He thought for few iainutes, but the name was unknown to him, quite unknown. Still that was of very little importance; one man may have a hun dred names. He listened again, the young farmer who had first spoken ot him said:
 "He was judge of horses, but for farming, he knew nothing st all about it. do not believe he knew turnip from a carrot. When he told me he was going to buy farm, laughed in his face."
 .'Y ou did net believe 1t ?' said the landlord.
 "I did not" was the answer.